Date Stamp 70 headlight vacuum cannisters

[Bill L.]

I have seen a couple different examples of dates.

What is typical and what does the 200 indicate on the stamp.

I don't recall where these pictures are from or from whose car.

Thanks, Bill

70 actuator ink stamp 2.jpg70 actuator ink stamp.jpg

[Mike E.]

Re: Date Stamp 70 headlight vacuum cannisters

Bill,
Those are off #6243, unrestored 350/350 bought from original owner.

[Bill L.]

Re: Date Stamp 70 headlight vacuum cannisters

Thank you Mike. I only knew I saved them for reference.

Any ideas on what the 200 indicates on the stamp?

I am trying to have a stamp made up to replicate the stamp but I need better close up pics with the size of the stamp, height of stamp, etc...

Any ideas?


Kind regards,

Bill

[Harmon C.]

Re: Date Stamp 70 headlight vacuum cannisters

The julian date is on the cannisters I have seen 200 2 and 147 3 for 72-3 cars but the picture shows more numbers on a 70.

[Bill L.]

Re: Date Stamp 70 headlight vacuum cannisters

The julian date is on the cannisters I have seen 200 2 and 147 3 for 72-3 cars but the picture shows more numbers on a 70.

The date looks like Feb 2670 which would make sense and then the 200 is shown turned 180 degrees. Very interested in what other 70s show.

Also interested in a really good close up picture with dimensions to try and have a stamp made up. Also interesting that there is not a red dot but and arrow indicating the red hose connection.

Bill

[Alan S.]

Re: Date Stamp 70 headlight vacuum cannisters

Hi Bill,
Some actuators I see have what I would describe as a 'slash' of various lengths (maybe 1" to 1/2" or less) rather than a 'dot.
Might the 'arrow' just be a 'slash' because which whatever marker was being used wasn't 'lifted' in time as the marker was pulled away?
Might the mark in this picture, which might be called a 'dot', just be a very short 'slash'?
Also note how transparent (at least at this time) the color is.
Regards,
Alan

[Bill L.]

Re: Date Stamp 70 headlight vacuum cannisters

Hi Bill,
Some actuators I see have what I would describe as a 'slash' of various lengths (maybe 1" to 1/2" or less) rather than a 'dot.
Might the 'arrow' just be a 'slash' because which whatever marker was being used wasn't 'lifted' in time as the marker was pulled away?
Might the mark in this picture, which might be called a 'dot', just be a very short 'slash'?
Also note how transparent (at least at this time) the color is.
Regards,
Alan

They do look like slash marks and I am thinking the red marks have become more transparent over time. Any thoughts on a correct marker?

Kind Regards,


Bill

[Terry M.]

Re: Date Stamp 70 headlight vacuum cannisters

I have seen a couple different examples of dates.

What is typical and what does the 200 indicate on the stamp.

I don't recall where these pictures are from or from whose car.

Thanks, Bill

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66383[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]66384[/ATTACH]

Bill
For all your trouble I hope your 1970 is early enough to have the date stamp. They became intermittent to non-existent after April of 1970.

And I have no idea what the 200 means except many/most don't have that number.

[Bill L.]

Re: Date Stamp 70 headlight vacuum cannisters

Bill
For all your trouble I hope your 1970 is early enough to have the date stamp. They became intermittent to non-existent after April of 1970.

And I have no idea what the 200 means except many/most don't have that number.

How about the red slash or dot Terry? Mine is a 1st week in June build date. You just saved me a lot of time and effort regarding the date stamp. Thank you. Now I wonder if the canisters are original. They definitely have patina. Only thing wrong was the seals. Only reason I did not think they were original is because I could not find a date stamp or red slash/dot.

Kind Regards,


Bill

[Terry M.]

Re: Date Stamp 70 headlight vacuum cannisters

How about the red slash or dot Terry? Mine is a 1st week in June build date. You just saved me a lot of time and effort regarding the date stamp. Thank you. Now I wonder if the canisters are original. They definitely have patina. Only thing wrong was the seals. Only reason I did not think they were original is because I could not find a date stamp or red slash/dot.

Kind Regards,


Bill

As far as I know the red slash/dot went through 1972, and probably beyond. The TIM&JG has a drawing of the original headlight canisters. The clearance between the bottom of the front pipe and the canister body should be 9/16-inch. Some/most SERVICE canisters had that clearance reduced so there was more room between the pipe and the open hood when the canister was installed on the car. They knew a large part of their market was for cars hit in the nose and the plastic did not always go back together properly, so they designed a little more clearance into the SERVICE parts. Check that measurement; if it is 9/16-inch you likely have original canisters.

The original red slash/dot was not always very bright, and could have faded with time. Most restorations I see have too bright a red mark.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Date Stamp 70 headlight vacuum cannisters

As far as I know the red slash/dot went through 1972, and probably beyond.

In my observances the red dot is gone for the 1972 model year. Others may have seen differently, but it seems to be rather uniform based on original cars I have judged or observed.

[Bob D.]

Re: Date Stamp 70 headlight vacuum cannisters

Bill

I have seen and documented date stamps on 1970 headlight actuators from Jan to about April of 1970. Some have the date with either the 200 on driver side actuator and an 019 on the passenger side after the date. The dates are not consistent with some of the date inverted from the rest of the date or the following numbers (200 or 019) inverted from the date. The red marks, some slashes, some dashes, and some dots were made with a red dye, which fades over time. When I restore actuators I photograph the actuator before restoring because the red dye will leave a clean area which remains on the actuator even when the finish has deteriorated. I then duplicate that red dye area when the actuator is plated. I have seen and documented very few dated actuators after April of 1970. Hope this helps.

[Bill L.]

Re: Date Stamp 70 headlight vacuum cannisters

Bill

I have seen and documented date stamps on 1970 headlight actuators from Jan to about April of 1970. Some have the date with either the 200 on driver side actuator and an 019 on the passenger side after the date. The dates are not consistent with some of the date inverted from the rest of the date or the following numbers (200 or 019) inverted from the date. The red marks, some slashes, some dashes, and some dots were made with a red dye, which fades over time. When I restore actuators I photograph the actuator before restoring because the red dye will leave a clean area which remains on the actuator even when the finish has deteriorated. I then duplicate that red dye area when the actuator is plated. I have seen and documented very few dated actuators after April of 1970. Hope this helps.

That is a big help Bob. Thank you.

May I ask what you use for the dye? My actuators look identical to the one posted by Alan and the two I have post less the red slash/dot.

Bill

[Mark D.]

Re: Date Stamp 70 headlight vacuum cannisters

A red Sharpie works well.

[Bob D.]

Re: Date Stamp 70 headlight vacuum cannisters

Bill

I use red dykum to put the red marks on actuators.

Bob